Daphne Chamberlain – Christchurch NZ. You are probably thinking “my blanket” is a descriptive term to tell you how the PFGM and the Passionist Charism has enveloped and enhanced my life, and the lives of people round me, like a “spiritual blanket.” If you are, you are not entirely wrong – but “my blanket” is actually a real blanket. It is made of wool. It was knitted in patchwork squares and sewn together. It has covered me every night for…
Reflection on a Retreat Day at Dallas Prison by Barbara Lunnon. Planning a Retreat Day inside Dallas, Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution is like no other planning! What could go wrong, or amiss, will certainly happen – before the day, during arrival with security issues, and even after, with departure security red tape.
On a beautiful Autumn morning I sit watching the sun rays dance across the water listening to the soft singing of the breeze passing through the trees. I have arrived early to the meeting spot that in ten minutes time will be filled with warm greetings, the excited shouts of children and an atmosphere of unconditional acceptance and love. I am awaiting the start of our monthly Family Group get together. While I sit and wait I reflect on the…
What a great day it was! We were blessed with perfect weather for the reunion. 55 turned up to reminisce and renew friendships which had started decades ago through the vibrant youth groups at St Anthony’s. The reunion held a true sense of community as we gathered on a bright and sunny spring day. There was no better place than in the fields of St Anthony’s. Our thanks to Fr. Jose for granting us permission to use the grounds of…
How can we get back some good Old Fashioned Family Time? The following quote from a local Sydney newspaper got me thinking about this question …
“Walking through the waiting room of our busy psychology clinic this morning, I heard three families swapping stories about their Earth Hour experiences. One described the fun they had turning off the TV, PlayStation and stereo and playing an old-fashioned game of charades by candlelight. Another described the challenge of playing cards by candlelight with six children. One mother mused on how nice it was to simply sit and talk as a family.”
I guess it was 1988 when we joined the Lunnon Family Group, having been members of the St Anthony in the Fields community since 1983. We’d migrated to Australia in 1981 and after a couple of house moves ended up in Terrey Hills, where by 1988 our three children were at primary school. St Anthony’s was a special place for us as a family and joining a Family Group, capital letters or not, seemed a natural thing to do. We…
Dearest Fr Peter, Where do I start???? I didn’t realise the impact that our presence at the change of leadership handover last night would have on everyone. It really is a special moment when you can feel so loved and welcomed amongst a group of people who you haven’t seen for a few years but have come to know as your ‘extended’ family. I must thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful Family Group all those…
Early in August Father Peter McGrath ran a Sunday for family groups. He asked me along with others to make a presentation on how family groups had influenced my life.
In June 2006 a woman we call Jenny came to a weekend at Holy Cross for leaders and coordinators of Family Groups. She came with others from her country parish and during the weekend she shared a remarkable story with those of us who were there. We have recently met Jenny again on one of our parish visits and she shared another chapter of that story with us.
Mark was invited to join a Family Group about 3 years ago. He was divorced and had only just recovered from a freakish accident which left him unable to continue to work.